Having earned provincial colours for athletics, 18-year-old Atlantis-born Tythan Adams has one essential ingredient required to become a top-class winger – speed.

Adams enjoyed a great season with Paul Roos this year. The boys from Stellenbosch recorded some memorable victories over the likes of Rondebosch and Bishops as they finished second in the Western Cape school stakes behind Paarl Gym.

‘It was my second year playing for the 1st XV and we had a very good season,’ says Adams. ‘Particularly if compared to last year where we didn’t do very well.’

Adams’s performances in the maroon jersey earned him his second call-up to the WP Craven Week side.
‘This year’s outing was a great experience as I was one of the senior players in the side this time. Personally, I was very happy with my own performances and the selectors obviously saw something in me and chose me for SA Schools.

‘Making SA Schools was always one of my goals and to have achieved it was just an unbelievable feeling,’ says Adams. ‘It was disappointing losing against the SA Academy side, particularly going into the game as favourites, but they were the better team on the day and as players we just have to learn from our mistakes.’

The winger, who has played at both outside centre and fullback in the past has also built a reputation as a proficient goal kicker.

‘I’m usually the second-choice kicker in my side but I do spend a bit of time on my skills and it’s one of my strong points. I’ve always enjoyed kicking and particularly trying drop goals.’

Adams made four appearances for the Western Province U19 side in 2008, including the U19 Currie Cup final where he played off the bench.

The speedster was one of only three newcomers to the squad and is hoping to cement his place in the side next year.
‘Next season, I’m focused on getting a permanent spot in the WP U19 side and maybe even the U21s,’ says Adams. ‘I might also join the SA Sevens side. [Coach] Paul Treu has invited me to join the squad and I think sevens can help me develop as a player.’

In spite of his achievements, he remains grounded and believes he can still improve on his defence and his positioning.
Adams, whose rugby role models include New Zealand’s flying winger Joe Rokocoko and American sprinter Carl Lewis, plans to study sports management during his time at the Western Province Rugby Institute in 2009.